Following recommendations published in a report by Britains' Further Education Unit entitled "A Basis for Choice" (ABC), a set of criteria was established to develop a coordinated, nationally recognized framework for a pre-employment course in further education geared for those over the age of 16. During the next 2 years, such a course was piloted and some 20 colleges were monitored and evaluated against ABC criteria. As a result of this evaluation suggestions were made for development of new learning methods and materials that would help students develop various basic skills (literacy and communication, numeracy, manipulative and physical, planning and organizational, social, and employability skills) as well as job-specific skills. Next such possible modifications to the structure and content of ABC were discussed as adding materials in the areas of modern languages, creative work, scientific study, and microcomputer technology. Also addressed were the guidance and counseling roles of ABC tutors. Procedures were developed for uniform validation, certification, profiling, and evaluation in ABC courses. Following analysis of staff development needs and strategies related to ABC, recommendations were made calling for regular staff development workshops. (MN)